Drake, Post Malone, Kane Brown lead the nominations for the 2018 American Music Awards

Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Drake, Post Malone and country star Kane Brown top the list of nominees for this year’s American Music Awards.

Bebe Rexha, Ella Mai, Normani and Brown announced the nominees live from YouTube Space LA Wednesday at noon ET.

Kane was nominated for three awards, which he called “awesome” before announcing the country and hip-hop/R&B nominees.

Drake earned nods in the Artist of the Year category, as well as for Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock, Favorite Artist Rap/Hip-Hop, Favorite Song Pop/Rock for “God’s Plan,” and in the Favorite Album Rap/Hip-Hop category, for Scorpion.

Ella was also nominated, scoring a non in the Favorite Female R&B category, alongside SZA and Rihanna. “Damn, girl, you’re with Rihanna!” Bebe enthused to her fellow presenter.

Following the American Music Awards announcement, the presenters took part in a panel discussion.

The 2018 American Music Awards will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on October 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross will host for the second year in a row.